Women's Basketball

Womens Basketball Hoops for Haiti a Success

Apr 28, 2010

Providence, RI- In support of those affected by the tragedy in
Haiti a few months ago, the Brown women's basketball team hosted
its "Hoops for Haiti" event on February 17 and raised nearly
$11,000 which was donated to UNICEF.

"I'm proud of them for taking the initiative and also for
reaching out to their circle of friends, Brown staff and faculty,
and also the community to help support the cause," said Assistant
Coach Kristen Buckley.

Head Coach Jean Marie Burr and Brown's three team captains;
Courtney Lee, Christina Johnson and Natalie Bonds, came up with the
idea together when trying to come up with ways to help the people
in Haiti. Buckley was instrumental in putting the event together
for the Bears, and she helped the squad recruit sponsors, promoted
the event with flyers and set the team goal at $3,000. Brown
University as a whole was also very supportive in the team's effort
to raise money. From helping with promotions to volunteering to
assist with the event, the university banned together during this
time and helped various groups in any way that they could.

"We want to thank everyone who sponsored our players and staff
for this event," said Burr. "Your support is appreciated and we
hope that our efforts make a difference to help Haiti recover. We
only wish we could do more."

Each women's basketball team member shot 300 free throws apiece
and received donations per made free-throw. Some supporters donated
$1 per made shot, $.75, $.50, $.25, $.10 or any amount or donation
of their choice.

"We thought that raising $3,000 would be really challenging,"
said senior captain Courtney Lee. "But so many people in the
athletic department, our professors, classmates and parents
supported us that we were able to surpass our goal. We were
surprised by how many people were willing to donate"

The team hopes to make giving a tradition, and would like to be
able to raise money for different causes year after year and keep
the giving spirit alive within the Brown women's basketball
team.